University News

Bumper Crop of New Students with the Best Scores in Cal Poly History Heading to Campus

Fall Quarter starts Sept. 20, and Cal Poly is expecting to see a little more than 3,500 new freshmen and 550 transfer students. This fall's new students faced the toughest entry competition in Cal Poly's history. Some 40,941 freshmen and transfer students applied for roughly 4,100 open undergraduate seats. The average GPA of the first-time freshmen heading to campus is 3.84, up from 3.81 last year. Their average ACT score is 26.8, up from 26.3 from fall 2009. The fall 2010 freshmen have an average SAT Reading score of 589, up from 579 last year; their average SAT Math score is 626, up from 623 last year. This fall, 26 National Merit and National Hispanic Scholars are enrolled as new students. (All of the enrollment numbers are preliminary -- the official Cal Poly student headcount is in October.)
Photo courtesy Cal Poly Student Affairs & WOW
Read more about Cal Poly students (pdf)

Cal Poly is Top Spot in the Nation for Recruiting Aerospace and Defense Workers

Aviation Week & Space Technology recently named Cal Poly first in the nation for industry workforce recruiting. Cal Poly moved up to the No. 1 spot after a second-place ranking in 2009. The magazine’s list of top schools, in order, is: Cal Poly, Georgia Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, Virginia Tech and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (tied), and Purdue University. According to Aviation Week, the “key rationale provided for selection of universities focuses on the academic reputation of the institutions coupled with the success of previous hires from the school by the corporation.”
More on the 'Aviation Week' ranking

Music, Barbecue, Football and Theater: It's All Part of Parents' Weekend 2010 Oct. 22-23

Cal Poly’s annual Parents’ Weekend is set for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23. Registration is open now through 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13.  The weekend begins Friday evening with the Music Department's Ensemble Showcase Concert featuring student musicians. Saturday afternoon, students and families are welcome to join fellow Mustang fans for the traditional Santa Maria style tri-tip tailgate barbecue followed by a Cal Poly football game vs. North Dakota State. The weekend wraps up with "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only!" The Tony-award winning comedy is filled with classic ventriloquist themes.
View the schedule and register on the Parent Program web site.

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
to be Featured at Fall Gourmet Taste Fest

Cal Poly students, faculty and food will be in the spotlight at the first annual Sunset - Savor the Central Coast gourmet festival. The event runs Sept. 30 through Oct. 3 at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch. Students and faculty from Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences are heavily involved in the event – raising and donating broiler chickens and lamb, acting as sous chefs, and selling organic produce and Cal Poly foods. Part of the festival includes a tour of Cal Poly’s 2,000-acre Escuela Ranch on Highway 1, eight miles north of the university. The working ranch is home to Cal Poly beef cattle, and serves as a living laboratory for the university’s 4,000 agriculture students. On the tour, students will share their learn-by-doing experience in environmental stewardship and beef cattle sustainability practices
More on the Sunset 'Taste' event

Alumni News

Get Tickets Now for Homecoming 2010, Tailgate and Wine Tasting

Cal Poly's Homecoming 2010 is set for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29-30 and alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and the community are all invited. The Cal Poly Honored Alumni awards and banquet will be held on Friday, Oct. 29, in Chumash Auditorium. On Saturday, Oct. 30, the Cal Poly Mustangs football team will face the Saint Francis Red Flash in Spanos Stadium. Enjoy the annual Homecoming Tailgate Barbecue and Wine Tasting on the O'Neill Green before the game. Get tickets early-- both events sell out in advance Homecoming Weekend every year. Tickets for the game, barbecue and wine tasting available now; tickets to the Honored Alumni Awards available soon.
Get details, tickets and more on the Homecoming Web site at www.homecoming.calpoly.edu

Help the Mustangs Beat the (Fresno State) Bulldogs Oct. 2

For the first time in 25 years, the Cal Poly Mustang Football team will face the Fresno Bulldogs. The rivalry match is set for Oct. 2 in Fresno's Bulldog Stadium. Join Cal Poly alumni, parents and fans in Fresno for a pre-game tailgate put on by Cal Poly Athletics and the Cal Poly Alumni Association -- and wear your Green and Gold! San Luis Obispo-based alumni and fans can ride Cal Poly buses to Fresno State and back. Cal Poly discounts are available at several Fresno area hotels.
Click here for details and tickets to the Oct. 2 Mustangs v. Bulldogs showdown

All Aboard for Cal Poly Day at Swanton Pacific Ranch in Santa Cruz Sept. 26

Enjoy a steam train ride, barbecue and visit to Cal Poly's Swanton Pacific Ranch just north of Santa Cruz on Sunday, Sept. 26. Alumnus Al Smith left his $20 million, 3,200-acre Swanton Pacific Ranch to Cal Poly when he died in 1993. The ranch serves as a "living lab" for Cal Poly's agriculture, natural resources management, forestry and research as well as other university programs. Visit with alumni and friends, enjoy the beautiful Swanton Pacific Ranch and ride the Swanton Pacific Railroad steam trains. The historic trains were used in the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco in 1915. Tickets available only in advance by mail -- sign up today.
Details on Cal Poly Day at Swanton Pacific

Alumni Relations Director to Lead in the Lone Star State

Cal Poly Alumni Relations Director Kim Gannon has been named director of Alumni Relations at Texas State University San Marcos. The 30,000-student campus is halfway between Austin and San Antonio and has an extensive alumni program. Gannon, a native of Kansas, has served as Cal Poly's Alumni Relations director since 2001, managing the university-wide alumni program, which serves more than 140,000 alumni and 14,000 association members. Prior to her position at Cal Poly she served as the Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving at Sonoma State University and the Director of Alumni Relations at the University of LaVerne. She started her career as the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at Cal Poly. Chip Visci, Cal Poly's Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications, praised Gannon's leadership. "Kim has been tireless in her efforts to engage our alumni and to serve the Cal Poly Alumni Association," he said. "She has proven to be a thoughtful manager in California's tough times, making some difficult staffing cuts and helping chart new directions appropriate for the times." Gannon, her husband and daughter are heading to Texas in October.
Visit the Cal Poly Alumni Association Web site

Alumni Photo of the Month: Building the Burj Dubai

The August Alumni Photo of the Month winner is Arvin Daeizadeh (Construction Management '04) for this shot, taken New Year's Eve 2008 in Dubai. That's Daeizadeh at ground level of the Burj Dubai, which translates to Dubai Tower. Daeizadeh, who grew up in Los Angeles, worked on the tower from 2007-09, when he was with project manager Turner International. The Burj had its grand opening in January 2010. It's the tallest skyscraper in the world -- "taller than two stacked Empire State buildings," he notes. Turner International is part of U.S.-based Turner Construction -- a regular employer of Cal Poly grads.

Daeizadeh worked for Turner until 2009 and then headed off to another exotic spot: Afghanistan. He now works in Kabul for an Afghani construction company managed by Americans. The firm's mission is to help build  facilities needed for the international troops and counter-narcotics police forces. "The vast majority of our workforce are Afghans, and it's part of our mission to support, build, and train the local community and economy," he said.
See the uncropped photo in the Alumni Photo of the Month gallery -- no password needed

Alumni in the News This Summer:
Idol Dreams, The Fed, Las Vegas and More

Despite vacation season, plenty of Cal Poly alumni made headlines recently. Business alum and up-and-coming singer-guitarist Dane Drewis competed for a spot on "American Idol." Another business alum recognized as an expert in energy markets left The Federal Reserve to head a research center at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Liberal Arts alum Bruce Ellis's scientific research on environmental impacts on neurobiology was selected as the best journal article of the year by the American Psychological Association. Find out about other alumni in the news recently -- and if you know any of them.
More alumni in the news

Today's Students

Calendar It: Classes Start Sept. 20 - Students Begin Arriving Sept. 13

Fall term classes begin Monday, Sept. 20. Residence Hall move-in day and programs for freshmen students are scheduled for Monday-Sunday, Sept. 13-19. Freshmen move into campus housing Monday, Sept. 13. Move-in day for new transfer students and returning students is Tuesday, Sept.14. New and transfer students will spend the beginning of the week in a program run by University Housing: Fall Launch. It's intended to help freshmen get to know roommates and other dorm residents, and also includes workshops on campus life and academic success. Week of Welcome (WOW), Cal Poly's traditional orientation program, runs Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 15-19 this year.
Visit the Fall Launch web site | Visit the WOW web site.

Floral Design Team Takes the Gold at National Collegiate Competition

Cal Poly’s floral design team took first place in the Overall School Award at the American Institute of Floral Designers’ (AIFD) 2010 Student Floral Design Competition this summer in Boston. The competition was part of the AIFD 2010 National Symposium. The Cal Poly Floral Design team took second at nationals in 2009 and third in 2008. This year, Cal Poly placed in the Top 10 in each of the four categories that were judged. As individuals, each student placed at least once in the top 10.Horticulture and Crop Science student Elisabeth Hall won first place in the Wedding Bouquet category. She also took third place in the Overall Contest Winner category, and her teammate Carrie Thengvall took forth place in the Overall Contest Winner category. Hall, Thengvall and Jaclyn Wiley comprised this year’s floral design team; it was Thengvall and Wiley’s first national competition.
Details on the national win

Graphic Communication Students Present to Ricoh on ‘Designing for Digital Color’

Four Cal Poly Graphic Communication students created a winning presentation for industry leader Ricoh. The team and their presentation on “Designing for Digital Color” was selected for the Ricoh Americas Customer Advisory Panel session in Milwaukee this summer. To get there, they competed in a Ricoh campaign involving students in the Production Management for Print and Digital Media classes. Three members of the team (Kristen Ericksmoen, Jenna Sigler, Heather Blakely -- minus teammate Chelsea Knighton) and faculty adviser Ken Macro were flown all expenses paid to Milwaukee in July, where the presentation was beta-tested at Ricoh’s Milwaukee Customer Advisory Session.
More on the presentation

Faculty & Staff

Hear Music Faculty in Recital Sept. 25

Cal Poly music faculty Jacalyn Kreitzer, mezzo-soprano, Brynn Albanese, violin, and Suzan Azaret Davies, piano, will perform in recital on Saturday, Sept. 25. This night of blockbusters features works by J.S. Bach, Gustav Mahler, Giuseppe Verdi, Charles Gounod, Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner and Sergei Prokofiev. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $6 for seniors and students.
Get details on the Music Department web site

Coming Up

Cal Poly Music Department Performance Season Kicks Off Sept. 25

The Cal Poly Music Department's new performance season, "2010-11: A Season Event Odyssey!" starts Sept. 25. The season offers a delightful mix of musical ensembles, styles and works, all performed by inspired students, passionate faculty and exciting guest artists. Discounts are available for purchasing tickets to multiple events. The department is also offering more than a dozen free recitals throughout the academic year. Be sure to order tickets early for the department's holiday concerts in December - the popular events do sell out. Join us for an evening of some of the season’s most beautiful music!  Performers include: PolyPhonics, The University Singers, Early Music Ensemble, and Cal Poly Brass Ensemble (special guests conducted by Christopher Woodruff)
Details on the Music Department's 2010-11 Season Performances

Calarts Graphic Design Professor’s Work on Display Sept. 24-Oct. 23

The University Art Gallery on campus will host a display of the works of pioneering graphic artist Ed Fella Sept. 24-Oct. 23. After three decades as a successful commercial artist at age 47, Fella, entered the Master of Fine Arts program at Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1985. He went on to be recognized as a pioneer of postmodern graphic design. He has been a professor at California Institute of the Arts for the past 20 years.
Details on Fella at www.artgallery.calpoly.edu

Pop Icon Dan Hicks Plays Spanos Theatre Sept. 24

Hear pop classic Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks Friday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. in the Spanos Theatre. Long considered one of pop music’s truly original figures and America’s finest songwriters, Hicks serves up sharp, dry-witted lyrics and clever musical fashion, attitude, and swagger with an outlaw eccentricity and insightful charm for a totally unique sound.
Details on Hicks at www.calpolyarts.org

Comedy Great Bill Cosby at the Cohan Center Sept. 26

See one of America’s most popular comedians, Bill Cosby, live at the Performing Arts Center's Cohan Center on campus on Sunday, Sept. 26. Cal Poly Arts presents Cosby in two performances: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Cosby has dazzled generations of fans with his comedy routines. He has also created iconic albums and best-selling books such as “Fatherhood” and the groundbreaking "The Cosby Show." His comedy transcends age, gender, and cultural barriers. A Cohan Center favorite, "The Cos" returns for two “face-hurtingly” funny shows.
Details on Cosby at www.calpolyarts.org

See the 'Latin Riverdance' Sept. 29
in New Stage Production: 'The Spanish Guitar'

“The Spanish Guitar” blends music, dance and history on stage. for Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Cohan Center on campus. Recently filmed for PBS, "The Spanish Guitar" has been compared to a “Latin Riverdance” -- an epic tale that integrates live performance with brilliant choreography, orchestral pieces, and footage of the artist’s voyage across the globe.  An evening of passion, music, and dance starring international guitar sensation Benise, this stunning concert features the enchanted Spanish guitar as the keeper of stories of glory and tragedy through times and worlds gone by.
Details on Benise at www.calpolyarts.org

It's No Joke: Steve Martin is Playing Bluegrass At the PAC Oct. 6

Multi-talented Grammy and Emmy award-winning actor-comedian-musician and best-selling author Steve Martin performs in the Cohan Center on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Martin continues to push his creative envelope, recently releasing a Grammy-winning, chart-topping bluegrass album. Touring with the Steep Canyon Rangers, Martin will shine with music from “The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo.” Really. No joke.
Details on Martin at www.calpolyarts.org

Hear Eclectic Esperanza Spaulding Oct. 8

Cal Poly Arts presents Esperanza Spaulding in concert Friday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. in the Spanos Theatre. Inspired by the classical training of her younger years, Spaulding creates an eight-member modern chamber music group that combines the spontaneity and intrigue of improvisation with sweet and angular string trio arrangement. The intriguing result encompasses elements of jazz, folk, and world music into the enduring foundations of classical music.
Details on Spaulding at www.calpolyarts.org

Modern Jazz Great Ellis Marsalis Performs Oct. 9

Hear modern jazz innovator Ellis Marsalis in concert Saturday, Oct. 9, in the Spanos Theatre. Showtime is 8 p.m. While in New Orleans during the mid-1950’s, Marsalis created a movement with his collective American Jazz Quintet and became a renowned teacher to the next generation of jazz musicians, including today’s prolific artists like Terence Blanchard and Harry Connick Jr. – not to mention all of those Marsalis boys.
Details on Marsalis at www.calpolyarts.org

Diane Schuur in Concert with SLO Symphony Oct. 10

Cal Poly Arts’ jazz weekend continues with Diane Schuur and the SLO Symphony Oct. 10 in the Cohan Center on campus. Showtime is 3 p.m. Discovered by Dizzy Gillespie, Schuur has inspired raves from around the world as “the new First Lady of Jazz.” Winner of two Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocalist and a repeat performer at the White House, Schuur – better known as “Deedles” – will be accompanied by the San Luis Obispo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Nowak.
Details on Schuur at www.calpolyarts.org

Get the Beat with Drumline Live Oct. 12

Inspired by the film "Drumline," this international tour is based on the marching band tradition at historically black universities and colleges. It’s a production with riveting rhythms, bold beats, and ear-pleasing energy. The staged show will be a synchronized musical showcase, with soul-infused interpretations, colorful choreographed routines, and heavy doses of drum riffs and cadences. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12 in the Cohan Center.
Details on Drumline at www.calpolyarts.org

See Hal Holbrook in Signature ‘Mark Twain’ Performance Oct. 15

This living, breathing American masterpiece is, quite simply, one of the most acclaimed and enduring performances in the history of theater. Nearly 50 years ago, a young actor took the stage in a tiny off-Broadway theatre and introduced the world to a man they’d never forget. The actor was Hal Holbrook. The man was Mark Twain. The one-man Emmy and Tony Award-winning show is the celebrated “Mark Twain Tonight!” Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, in the Cohan Center.
Details on Holbrook at www.calpolyarts.org

More Cal Poly campus events & entertainment listings